Yehudi Menuhin (22 April 1916 - 12 March 1999) was an American-born violinist and conductor; who spent most of his performing career in Britain. He is widely considered one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century.

In 1965; while he was still an American citizen; Menuhin was made an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire; which entitled him to use the postnominal letters KBE; but not to style himself Sir Yehudi. After Menuhin gained British citizenship in 1985; his knighthood was upgraded to a substantive one; and he became Sir Yehudi Menuhin KBE.